NOTES ON THE LEPIDOPTERA OF NATAL. 39 



It lias been suggested by Mr. Trimen that G. Parmeno may be a 

 derived form from C. Lecla, and the idea commends itself 

 to any one who has examined, closely, a series of the two species 

 from Natal. 



Debis DenclropMlus, a very handsome insect, is rare on the 

 coast, and is found in the higher wooded ravines of the country 

 inland. I am consequently not very well acquainted with it ; 

 indeed, the great development of this family, Satyridce, is better 

 seen in the grass-lands. My particular neighbour was Hypanis 

 lUthyia, which was interesting because of the very singular 

 variety presented by the under side of the wings. A sort of 

 chocolate suffusion, with the dark festoons reversed and shining, 

 whitish instead of dark upon the ground, is the chief characteristic, 

 but at first sight it presented a very dissimilar aspect, the amount 

 of " suffusion," if I can use the expression, was very variable, 

 and the differentiation of the under sides similarly altered. 



Lyc^nid^. 

 The Blues and Coppers are very largely represented, the 

 former especially, in the brilliant Aphnceus and Loxura ; they 

 form a very grateful addition to the cabinet. I am unacquainted 

 with many of their transformations, a Loxura, bred by Dr. 

 Seaman, of Pinetown, and a small Lyccena Amarah by myself, 

 being the sum total. 



The Coppers were not freelj^ represented in my neighbourhood ; 

 they are more numerous in the open country, with scattered 

 mimosa bush, which makes the Cape and up-country districts 

 peculiar. There are in South Africa many very interesting and 

 varied forms uniting the peculiarities of both these groups. 

 Myrina Pallene, too, with its sulphury- white wings, does not do 

 credit to its blue blood by its colour, but it is undoubtedly " pur 

 sang " when examined critically. 



The eccentric little butterfly, Pentila Tropicalis, belongs to 

 the LyccenidcB, although at first sight you would not give him 

 credit for doing so. It is very common in two or three woods in 

 the coast woodlands, and is noticeable on account of its funny 

 colour and wings, with spots and tips of a deep neutral j)urple in 

 some lights, and black in others (this colour soon fades into the 

 latter after first freshness of emergence). It is gregarious, slow 

 in flight, haunting shady spots, and is very like a day-flying 



